Systems and methods for dynamic bandwidth allocation
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Publication Number
US-10764339-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Disclosed herein are various embodiments of systems and methods that may be utilized in a variety of videoconferencing applications. According to various embodiments, techniques may be utilized to dynamically allocate and adjust bandwidth utilization during a videoconferencing session. A data network may allow for the transmission of data between two or more endpoints. The data exchanged between the endpoints may include video data, audio data, control data, and status data. Control data may be utilized in various embodiments to operate a robotic videoconferencing endpoint. Accordingly, various components of a data network connecting videoconferencing endpoints may transmit data wirelessly.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to adjusting a bandwidth utilization between a first endpoint and a second endpoint in a videoconferencing session. It uses a network statistics dataset comprising a first plurality of data samples, each data sample comprising a quantifiable metric representing network conditions, and performs threshold-based analysis on the dataset.
Based on the analysis of the network statistics dataset, the system decreases or increases the total transmission rate between the endpoints during the videoconferencing session. The decision logic is tied to counts of data samples meeting threshold-based conditions, including identifying a specified number of samples that fall above a threshold.
Additionally, the invention establishes, based on the network statistics dataset, a first minimum allowable transmission rate from the first endpoint to the second endpoint and a second minimum allowable transmission rate from the second endpoint to the first endpoint, wherein the first and second minimum allowable transmission rates are different.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent method claims. Across these independent claims, the core inventive coverage centers on network-statistics-dataset creation, threshold-based sample analysis with count-based identification, rate adjustment between endpoints in a videoconferencing session, and bidirectional minimum allowable transmission rates that differ by direction.
Network statistics dataset from quantifiable network-condition metrics
Generating a network statistics dataset comprising a first plurality of data samples, each data sample comprising a quantifiable metric representing network conditions.
Threshold-based analysis and sample comparison
Establishing a first threshold-based analysis of the network statistics dataset; obtaining a second plurality of data samples; comparing each of the second plurality of data samples to the network statistics dataset; identifying a first specified number of data samples from among the second plurality of data samples that fall above the first threshold.
Direction-dependent minimum allowable transmission rates
Establishing, based on the network statistics dataset, a first minimum allowable transmission rate from the first endpoint to the second endpoint and a second minimum allowable transmission rate from the second endpoint to the first endpoint, wherein the first minimum allowable transmission rate and the second minimum allowable transmission rate are different.
Rate adjustment between fixed and threshold-based transmission periods
Transmitting data between the first endpoint and the second endpoint at a fixed first total transmission rate during a first period of the videoconferencing session; establishing a second total transmission rate based on an analysis of the network statistics dataset, the second total transmission rate exceeding the first total transmission rate; transmitting data between the first endpoint and the second endpoint at the second total transmission rate during the second period of the videoconferencing session.
In both independent claims, the inventive method is grounded in using a network statistics dataset of quantifiable network-condition samples, applying threshold-based analysis to compare new samples and identify a specified number meeting threshold criteria, adjusting total transmission rate between endpoints in a videoconferencing session, and enforcing asymmetric minimum allowable transmission rates that differ by direction based on the network statistics dataset.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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